Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler tonight named a 22-player squad for the opening game of the 2022 Ampol State of Origin series at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday 8 June.
The squad includes seven players from 2021 NRL premiers Penrith Panthers while James Tedesco will captain the team for the second consecutive year, having officially taken on the role in 2020.
The squad also includes six players who are yet to debut for the Blues – Stephen Crichton, Nicho Hynes, Ryan Matterson, Jacob Saifiti, Joseph Suaalii and Kotoni Staggs – with Fittler to name his team for the opening game by midday tomorrow (a starting 17, an 18th player and four reserves).
The squad will hold an open media session and have their team photograph taken at Crowne Plaza Coogee tomorrow and will attend the annual True Blues ball at The Star Event Centre at Pyrmont later that night where the latest NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame inductees will be announced.
The extended squad will train together for the first time at Coogee Oval on Tuesday 31 May. Players not named in the team for Game One can return to their clubs to prepare for Round 13 of the NRL (players with byes can remain in camp).
BRYDENS LAWYERS NSW BLUES SQUAD (in alphabetical order)
Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels)
Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters)
James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters)
Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
